Members of the Beaufort Historical Association and guests were treated to delicious potluck dinner, a special presentation by Lenore Meadows and Lauren Hermley, members of the Beaufort Tourism Advisory Board and the presentation of the Volunteer Awards at the BHA's semi-annual membership meeting, Tuesday, January 24 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Beaufort.

Meadows and Hermley presented the new branding initiative to market the town of Beaufort in order to promote tourism, especially on the shoulder seasons of spring, fall and winter. The Beaufort Tourism Advisory Board has been working on the ad campaign since early 2011, and Ms. Meadows explained to those present that the time is right to send a fun, clear and welcoming message to the rest of the world with the new slogan developed by the Tourism Board, "Beaufort, North Carolina. Be Here". With the help of the recent "Vote Beaufort the Coolest Small Town in America" through Budget Travel Magazine's website, the BTAB plans to keep up the momentum though access, quality and community outreach.

Five volunteer awards were also presented during the evening's event. Well-deserved recipient, Dick Futrell received the BHA's 2011 Edward and Frances Trent Piver Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

Futrell has been involved in the BHA since 1996 and gradually became more involved after serving his first year as a member of the Board of Governors in 2003. He continued to serve seven more years as a member, three of those years as the President of the BHA. Futrell and his wife, Billie, can be seen at almost all of the BHA functions, and they even have graciously opened their own home for two Old Home and Garden Tour kick-off parties. Futrell currently serves on the BHA Finance Committee where his expertise as the retired CEO of Centura Bank serves as an invaluable resource. Mr. Futrell is currently President of The Beaufort Historical Foundation, a completely separate endowment board whose sole purpose is to support the Beaufort Historical Association through interest only earnings to maintain the Historic Site and the 11 buildings located on the Site. Under his leadership in a few short months, he and the 24 member board have raised almost half of their goal to have a million dollar endowment. In addition to volunteering his time to the BHA, Dick Futrell's many contributions to the community are evident in the numerous boards he has served on. Since moving to the area full time in 2000, Futrell has served on the Ports Authority Board, Economic Development Council, and is currently serving on the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Board, where he has held the position of Chairman.

Thanks to Dick Futrell's leadership The Fundraiser Award was presented to the entire Beaufort Historical Foundation Board consisting of Marvin Barnes, Doug Brady, Graham Dozier, Lynn Eury, Vic Flow, Lloyd Gurley, John Hagle, Joe Hollinshed, Bill Kaeser, Whit Procter, Hamilton Sloan, Richard Stanley and Jerri Sutton. These board members have worked together as a team to raise more money for the Foundation than had been raised in the entire history starting in 1986.

The Association's Longevity Award was presented to Nancy Vaughan, for her length and breadth of service to the BHA. Vaughan has been instrumental as the head of the Visitor's Center display team, conducting in-depth research for each new display, writing the material as well as designing the display. Vaughan is Chairman of the Education Committee and Warped Weavers, and is happy to share her weaving expertise with site visitors on Mondays and Wednesday or anytime for students. With her 20 plus years of service and dedication, Vaughan has no signs of slowing down, serving as a past member of the BHA Board of Governors and was the winner of the prestigious Piver Award as Volunteer of the Year in 1990.

Bruce and Pegie Douglas were presented with the Couples Award. This energetic couple thrives on sharing their time and talents with the community and has been an irreplaceable part of the BHA in many ways. While Bruce volunteers driving the BHA's Double-Decker Bus for tours, Pegie donates her time and talents as a member of the BHA's Education Committee, working with Harvest Time and Kindergarten Thanksgiving as well as helping in the Mattie King Davis Art Gallery. The Douglas's often work quietly and behind the scenes, helping make events such as the BHA's Valentine and Summer Parties the successes they have become.

The Newcomer Award was presented to Eric Bigham. Bigham has been a member of the BHA since 2006, but only became a volunteer in the past year. During his time as a volunteer, Bigham has become an invaluable tour guide for the Old Burying Ground and conductor on the double-decker bus, even providing his own one-of-a-kind historic outfit. It is Bingham's interest in history and dedication to detail that makes him such an asset to the BHA.

The Beaufort Historical Association and the Beaufort Historic Site continue to document the lifestyles and customs of Beaufort's past to preserve its historical identity for the future. The Beaufort Historical Association is a private, non-profit, membership and volunteer-based organization founded in 1960 by a group of Carteret County citizens which has a membership that has grown to over 1,700 members. The BHA works to preserve and interpret the cultural, architectural and historical heritage of Beaufort and Carteret County, and to interest and educate current and future generations in regard to the area's rich coastal heritage.

Jack Sweeny helps start things off with the delicious pot luck dinner!

Lenore Meadows (pictured here) and Lauren Hermley presented a wonderful presentation on the The Beaufort Tourism Advisory Board's task of creating a unified marketing identity and marketing plan for the Town of Beaufort.

Well-deserved recipient Dick Futrell, center, accepts the Beaufort Historical Association’s 2011 Edward and Frances Trent Piver Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year with BHA President Bill Kaeser, right and Executive Director Patricia Suggs, left.

From left; 2011 Edward and Frances Trent Piver Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award winner Dick Futrell; Couples' Award Winner Pegie and Bruce Douglas; Newcomer award winner Eric Bigham.